The Pittsburgh Pirates finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning thanks to a solo home run from Pedro Alvarez, but lost the run right back in the bottom half of the inning. The Bucs have a long way to go if they want to salvage Game 1. Through six, the score stands at 9-1 in favor of the Cardinals.
NLDS, Pirates vs. Cardinals score: Pedro Alvarez puts Bucs on the board; still trail 9-1
Alvarez launched the first home run of his postseason career in the fifth, but Adam Wainwright is still stifling the Pirates.
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Alvarez’s first postseason home run is historic not just for him, but for the Pittsburgh franchise:
Alvarez is just the fourth Pirates third baseman to homer in a playoff game in the club’s 100+ years as a franchise. He joins the very short list alongside Bill Madlock (1), Richie Hebner (4) and Pie Traynor (1), making Alvarez’s shot the seventh overall from a Bucs hot-corner man.
Other than the blemish of the Alvarez home run, Adam Wainwright continues to dazzle. The right-hander has fanned seven and allowed just three hits through six. Perhaps most impressive Thursday is his ability to get the Bucs to drive the ball into the ground. Of the 11 non-K outs he's recorded thus far, all have come via the ground ball.
The Cardinals got their insurance runs thanks to a couple of defensive miscues from the Pirates. Jon Jay scored on a fielder's choice from Daniel Descalso in the fifth when shortstop Clint Barmes' throw to first sailed wide of the bag. Then in the sixth, the lumbering Matt Adams was able to score from first on a double from Yadier Molina when Andrew McCutchen bobbled the ball in the outfield.
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